Method of collecting information in mobile communication system

ABSTRACT

There are disclosed a method of and a system for collecting information related to operation of a radio communication system inexpensively and easily. A mobile radio terminal monitors a communication status of user communication, and detects as a trigger when the communication status has satisfied a predetermined condition. When a trigger is detected, the mobile radio terminal acquires a reception status of a radio signal and the position of the mobile radio terminal. The mobile radio terminal sends measured information including the reception status and the position to an information collecting server. The information collecting server receives the measured information from the mobile radio terminal and records therein the measured information which has been received.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a radio communication system,and more particularly to the collection of measured values of receptionstatuses for the maintenance and optimization of a radio communicationsystem.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] At present, efforts are being made to lower charges to be paid bysubscribers to radio communication systems such as cellular phonesystems, PHS, public radio LAN systems, etc. One of the efforts is tolower the operating costs of radio communication systems as much aspossible. It is a large task for communication service providers to makeless costly adjustments for the maintenance and optimization of radiocommunication systems.

[0005] The adjustments for the maintenance and optimization of radiocommunication systems include maintenance and adjustment activities thatare performed to operate the radio communication systems stably withoutsystem failures over a long period of time. Items that need to beadjusted include, for example, the transmission power level of a radiobase station and the tilt angle of an antenna.

[0006] The maintenance and adjustment of a radio communication systemare generally performed based on an evaluation or examination processwhich employs a radio network design simulator. In order to increase theaccuracy of a simulation, information about reception statuses that aremeasured in service areas (hereinafter referred to as “coverages”) ofthe radio communication system and information about positions wheremeasured values are obtained are input to the design simulator.

[0007] In a CDMA system, for example, items of reception statusinformation include the received signal quality and received signalintensity of a common pilot channel. These items of reception statusinformation are useful items indispensable for system maintenance andadjustments because they serve as indexes for determining whether theservices of the radio communication system are available to mobile radioterminals in the measured position or not.

[0008] Heretofore, it has been customary for a dedicated measuringvehicle or a dedicated measuring team to measure reception statusinformation.

[0009]FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is illustrative of aconventional process of collecting reception status information from aradio communication system. According to the conventional process, asshown in FIG. 1, coverages of the radio communication system in whichradio base stations 91, 92, 93 are connected to network 90 are visitedby members of measuring teams with reception status measuring vehicles94. At each measuring spot, one reception status measuring vehicle 94measures reception status information in the corresponding coverage. Themeasured reception status information is recorded in association withthe positional information that is measured by position measuring device94 a on reception status measuring vehicle 94.

[0010] Using the measured reception status information, thecommunication service provider performs maintenance and adjustments ofthe radio communication system to operate the radio communication systemstably without fail.

[0011] According to another conventional process of collecting receptionstatus information, the general mobile radio terminal owned by a user isused to measure reception status information, and the measured receptionstatus information is collected from the mobile radio terminal (see, forexample, JP-2002-152104-A). According to this conventional process,reception status information can quickly and easily be collected withoutthe need for the reception status measuring vehicle shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The above conventional processes suffer the following problems:

[0013] The process of measuring reception status information usingreception status measuring vehicles 94 shown in FIG. 1 needs a measuringteam of members including a vehicle driver, a navigator, and a measuringperson for driving each reception status measuring vehicle 94 and makingmeasurements at desired spots. Expenses required to purchase andmaintain the measuring vehicles and personnel expenses required tocollect reception status information are large and present an obstacleto efforts to lower the operating cost of the radio communicationsystem. The conventional process shown in FIG. 1 takes a lot of time tocollect reception status information because all the coverages of theradio communication system need to be visited by a limited number ofreception status measuring vehicles.

[0014] Reception status information in the coverages may be measured bymany measuring teams without reception status measuring vehicles 94.However, such a modification requires increased labor costs thoughreception status measuring vehicles 94 are dispensed with.

[0015] In a CDMA radio communication system, when users are connected tothe system, the load on the radio communication system, i.e., aninterference quantity, changes, and hence coverages of the radiocommunication system vary with time. In order to keep stable coverageswhile the number of users is being progressively grown to turn thesystem into a mature one, it is necessary to repeatedly collectreception status information periodically. Consequently, the CDMA radiocommunication system requires a much greater cost for collectingreception status information than other systems because reception statusmeasuring vehicles need to travel repeatedly periodically for collectingreception status information.

[0016] Another problem of the CDMA radio communication system is thatwhile reception status information is being measured by reception statusmeasuring vehicles as they travel through coverages, the user status inthe measured areas may change.

[0017] According to the process of collecting reception statusinformation with the general mobile radio terminals owned by users asdisclosed in JP-2002-152104-A, reception status information can becollected at a low cost because no reception status measuring vehiclesand no measuring teams of various members are required. Since thecoverages of the radio communication system are not visited by receptionstatus measuring vehicles, but reception status information is measuredby the mobile radio terminals owned by general users, a large amount ofreception status information can be collected in a short period of time.

[0018] In the CDMA radio communication system, however, the receptionstatus changes for various reasons, and changes in the reception statusaffect the operation of the radio communication system in various ways.For example, the reception status may change either with time or as thesystem load changes due to a user access congestion. Changes in thereception status may cause a change in the frequency of forcedcommunication shutdowns from the network or a change in the frequency ofhandover failures.

[0019] The process disclosed in JP-2002-152104-A serves to collect onlythe relationship between reception status information and positionalinformation, but fails to appropriately recognize causes of changes inthe reception status and phenomena brought about by changes in thereception status.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide amethod of and a system for, and a mobile radio terminal for, collectinginformation related to operation of a radio communication systeminexpensively and easily.

[0021] To achieve the above object, an information collecting systemaccording to the present invention collects information used foradjustments in a radio communication system for performing usercommunications.

[0022] At least one mobile radio terminal monitors a communicationstatus of user communications. When the mobile radio terminal detects asa trigger when the communication status has satisfied a predeterminedcondition, the mobile radio terminal acquires a reception status of aradio signal and the position of its own. The mobile radio terminalsends measured information including the reception status and theposition to an information collecting server. The information collectingserver receives the measured information from the mobile radio terminaland records therein the measured information which has been received.

[0023] Therefore, the communication service provider of the radiocommunication system can instantaneously obtain many reception statusesin respective positions in coverages in relation to the communicationstatus, and can instantaneously and effectively perform maintenance andadjustments of radio communication facilities. Thus, man-hours andexpenses involved in collecting information can be reduced.

[0024] Instantaneous and accurate system adjustments are significant inan area where many users are present. According to the presentinvention, many items of measured information of such an area areobtained, making it possible to make instantaneous and accurate systemadjustments using may items of measured information in an area where theneed for system adjustments is high.

[0025] In another information collecting system according to the presentinvention, an information collecting server sends trigger informationsimultaneously to at least one mobile radio terminal. When the mobileradio terminal receives the trigger information as a measuring trigger,the mobile radio terminal acquires a reception status of a radio signaland the position of its own. The mobile radio terminal sends measuredinformation including the reception status and the position to aninformation collecting server. The information collecting server recordsthe measured information received from the mobile radio terminal.

[0026] Accordingly, many items of measured information at respectivespots at the same time can instantaneously be obtained forinstantaneously and effectively performing maintenance and adjustmentsof radio communication facilities.

[0027] In still another information collecting system according to thepresent invention, an information collecting server sends triggerinformation simultaneously to at least one mobile radio terminal. Themobile radio terminal monitors a communication status of usercommunications. When the mobile radio terminal detects as a trigger whenthe communication status has satisfied a predetermined condition, orreceives the trigger information as a measuring trigger, the mobileradio terminal acquires a reception status of a radio signal and theposition of its own. The mobile radio terminal sends measuredinformation including the reception status and the position to aninformation collecting server. The information collecting server recordsthe measured information received from the mobile radio terminal.

[0028] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following descriptionwith reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate examples ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrative of a conventional processof collecting reception status information from a radio communicationsystem;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a radio communication systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile radio terminal according tothe embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation sequence of the radiocommunication system and the mobile radio terminal according to theembodiment of the present invention for collecting reception statusinformation;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a mobile radio terminal according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation sequence of the radiocommunication system and the mobile radio terminal according to theother embodiment of the present invention for collecting receptionstatus information;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a mobile radio terminal according tostill another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation sequence of the radiocommunication system and the mobile radio terminal according to thestill other embodiment of the present invention for collecting receptionstatus information.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedin detail below.

[0038]FIG. 2 schematically shows a radio communication system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the radiocommunication system has radio base stations 11, 12, 13, network 2, andinformation collecting server 1. Mobile radio terminals 21, 22 can beconnected to the radio communication system. In FIG. 2, only two mobileradio terminals are shown though many mobile radio terminals canactually be connected to the radio communication system. Actually, theradio communication system has many radio base stations, but only threeradio base stations are shown in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes.

[0039] Mobile radio terminals 21, 22 comprise mobile terminals ofcellular phone systems, PHS, public radio LAN systems, etc. that usersuse in the radio communication system. The users who use mobile radioterminals 21, 22 are users who have consented to provide informationabout their own positions and the reception status of radio signals fromradio base stations for stable operation of the radio communicationsystem.

[0040]FIG. 3 shows in block form details of mobile radio terminal 21according to the present embodiment. Since mobile radio terminals 21, 22are identical in arrangement, only mobile radio terminal 21 is shown inFIG. 3.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, mobile radio terminal 21 comprises positionalinformation acquisition unit 31, reception status acquisition unit 32,communication status acquisition unit 33, time information acquisitionunit 34, control unit 35, and display unit 36.

[0042] Positional information acquisition unit 31 acquires informationrepresentative of the position of mobile radio terminal 21. Positionalinformation acquisition unit 31 measures its own position using a GPS(Global Positioning System), for example, and acquires the measuredposition as the positional information.

[0043] Reception status acquisition unit 32 acquires informationrepresentative of the reception status of a radio signal from a radiobase station. The information representative of the reception status,i.e., the reception status information, is useful for the maintenanceand adjustments of the radio communication system. Examples of thereception status information are Ec/lo (received signal power vs.interference power ratio per chip) indicative of a received signalquality of a common pilot channel in a CDMA radio communication system,and a received signal intensity in such a common pilot channel.

[0044] Communication status acquisition unit 33 can acquire informationrepresentative of the communication status of user communications. Theinformation representative of the communication status, i.e., thecommunication status information, is information indicative of thestatus of communications that are performed using a radio signal.Examples of the communication status information are informationindicating that the mobile radio terminal is unable to receive a radiosignal from a radio base station and user communications are forciblyshut off, and information indicating that the mobile radio terminal isunable to make an outgoing call to another mobile radio terminal. Otherexamples of the communication status information are informationindicating a handover failure and information indicating a communicationthroughput.

[0045] Time information acquisition unit 34 can acquire informationrepresentative of the time when reception status information isacquired, time information representative of the time when a receptionstatus has started to be measured, and time information representativeof the period of time for which a reception status has been measured.

[0046] When positional information, time information, and receptionstatus information are acquired, control unit 35 sends the acquiredinformation as measured information through either one of the radio basestations and network 2 to information collecting server 1. The measuredinformation is information that includes positional information, timeinformation, and reception status information.

[0047] When communication status information acquired by communicationstatus acquisition unit 33 satisfies a predetermined condition, controlunit 35 is triggered to instruct reception status acquisition unit 32 toacquire reception status information, instruct positional informationacquisition unit 31 to acquire positional information, and instruct timeinformation acquisition unit 34 to acquire a measuring start time and ameasuring period of time. For example, when user communication such as acall or data communication are forcibly shut off, mobile ratio terminal21 is triggered to acquire reception status information. Alternatively,mobile ratio terminal 21 may be triggered to acquire reception statusinformation when the communication throughput becomes lower than apredetermined threshold value, or when a call is made to start usercommunications.

[0048] When control unit 35 receives information representative of avaluable point from information collecting server 1, control unit 35displays the valuable point on display unit 36.

[0049] The valuable point is a point having a value corresponding tomoney, and is given to a user in return for the measured informationprovided by the user. An example of the valuable point is a point thatcan be used in electronic commerce on the Internet that is included innetwork 2. Another example of the valuable point is any of variouscybercash and electronic money. Still another example of the valuablepoint is a point having a value in a core network of the radiocommunication system which is included in network 2, i.e., a point thatcan be used to offset a charge to be paid for using the radiocommunication system.

[0050] Display unit 36 displays valuable point information according toan instruction from control unit 35.

[0051] Radio base stations 11, 12, 13 are facilities for sending radiosignals to and receiving radio signals from mobile radio terminals 21,22, and comprise base stations in cellular phone systems or PHSs, oraccess points of radio LAN systems or the like.

[0052] Network 2 comprises a core network of the radio communicationsystem according to the present embodiment, e.g., a network made up ofmobile exchanges of a cellular phone system. In the present embodiment,network 2 also includes the Internet connected through a gateway (notshown).

[0053] Information collecting server 1 comprises a computer such as aworkstation or the like. Information collecting server 1 receives andrecords measured information transmitted from mobile radio terminals 21,22. When information collecting server 1 receives and records measuredinformation transmitted from mobile radio terminals 21, 22, informationcollecting server 1 sends valuable point information that is to be givento the users of mobile radio terminals 21, 22, i.e., transmissionsources, through network 2 and a radio base station to mobile radioterminals 21, 22.

[0054]FIG. 4 shows an operation sequence of the radio communicationsystem and the mobile radio terminal according to the present embodimentfor collecting reception status information. In FIG. 4, operation ofonly mobile radio terminal 21 and information collecting server 1 isillustrated.

[0055] Dedicated software is installed beforehand in the mobile radioterminal of a user who has consented to provide measured informationincluding information about reception status information and positionalinformation in return for the acquisition of a valuable point. Themobile radio terminal with the dedicated software installed is used asmobile radio terminals 21, 22. With the dedicated software installed,mobile radio terminals 21, 22 can automatically operate as follows:

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, mobile radio terminal 21 monitors thecommunication status of user communications, and detects as a triggerwhen communication status information has satisfied a predeterminedcondition (step 101). When mobile radio terminal 21 detects the trigger,mobile radio terminal 21 measures a reception status and acquiresreception status information indicative of the measured reception status(step 102). At this time, mobile radio terminal 21 also acquires timeinformation. Instead of the operation in steps 101, 102, mobile radioterminal 21 may continuously measure a reception status at all timesand, when mobile radio terminal 21 detects a trigger, it may use thereception status measured at the time for a subsequent process.

[0057] Then, mobile radio terminal 21 measures its own position using aGPS, and acquires positional information indicative of the measuredposition (step 103). However, mobile radio terminal 21 may not be ableto acquire positional information depending on its position orenvironment. In that case, mobile radio terminal 21 may use positionalinformation which it has acquired at a past time closest to the presenttime. Moreover, mobile radio terminal 21 should preferably addinformation indicative of low reliability to the positional information.Then, mobile radio terminal 21 sends measured information including thepositional information, the time information, and the reception statusinformation to information collecting server 1 (step 104).

[0058] In order to reflect the measured information early for systemadjustments, mobile radio terminal 21 should preferably send themeasured information including the reception status information and thepositional information to information collecting server 1 immediatelyafter mobile radio terminal 21 has acquired the reception statusinformation and the positional information. If a forced shutdown of usercommunication or a handover failure is used as a trigger, then mobileradio terminal 21 is unable to send the measured information toinformation collecting server 1 immediately after the trigger isdetected. In this case, mobile radio terminal 21 may send the measuredinformation after the circuit becomes available again.

[0059] Information collecting server 1 receives the measured informationfrom mobile radio terminal 21, and records the received information inits own memory (step 105). Actually, since information collecting server1 receives measured information similarly from a plurality of mobileradio terminals, information collecting server 1 collects receptionstatus information in various positions in coverages.

[0060] The measured information collected by information collectingserver 1 is related to various operations of the radio communicationsystem depending on trigger conditions. Consequently, not only a maprepresenting an association between positions and reception statuses,but also maps related to various statuses are obtained. For example, amap of information that is acquired when user communications areforcibly disconnected is useful for estimating an area where aradio-wave arrival status is poor. A map of information that is acquiredwhen a handover failure occurs is useful for estimating a position wherethere is a coverage interruption between radio base stations. A map ofinformation that is acquired when a throughput is lower than apredetermined threshold value is useful for estimating a position wherea communication quality is poor. A map of information that is acquiredwhen a call is made is useful for estimating a position where many usersare present.

[0061] The measuring time represented by the time information containedin the measured information is useful to estimate a time-dependentchange in the communication status or the reception status.

[0062] Then, information collecting server 1 gives a valuable point tothe user of mobile radio terminal 21, and sends valuable pointinformation representative of a value (valuable point) given in returnfor the information provided by the user, to mobile radio terminal 21(step 106). For non-delay system operation, information collectingserver 1 should preferably send valuable point information is sent tomobile radio terminal 21 immediately after the measured information frommobile radio terminal 21. If a traffic buildup is to be prevented,however, information collecting server 1 may delay the timing to sendvaluable point information. For example, information collecting server 1may collect several items of valuable point information and thereaftersend the collected items of valuable point information. Informationcollecting server 1 may also send collected items of valuable pointinformation late at night.

[0063] Actually, a valuable point may be given by different processesdepending on the form of the variable point. For example, if a valuablepoint can be used to offset a charge to be paid for using the radiocommunication system, then it may be recorded and managed in informationcollecting server 1, a billing center (not shown), or a dedicatedvaluable point managing server. If a valuable point is in the form ofelectric money related to a bank account, then the valuable point may besent to a bank server.

[0064] When measure information is thus collected by informationcollecting server 1, core network 2 of the radio communication systemuses the collected information for the maintenance of radio basestations 11, 12, 13 and for adjusting various parameters including thetransmission output power and the tilt angles of antennas.

[0065] According to the present embodiment, as described above, when apredetermined communication status is achieved, the mobile radioterminals of users acquire reception state information and positionalinformation, and send measured information including the reception stateinformation and the positional information to information collectingserver 1. Therefore, the communication service provider caninstantaneously obtain many items of measured information related to thecommunication status by giving inexpensive valuable points to users, andcan instantaneously and effectively perform maintenance and adjustmentsof the radio base stations with reduced man-hours and expenses.

[0066] According to the present embodiment, furthermore, since manyitems of measured information can instantaneously be collected andreflected for system maintenance and adjustments, the measuredinformation can provide outstanding advantages while the number of usersis being progressively grown in a radio communication system, e.g., aCDMA radio communication system, where coverages change due to a loadstatus or an interference quantity on radio circuits when mobile radioterminals are connected.

[0067] Moreover, instantaneous and accurate system adjustments aresignificant in an area where many users are present. Since many items ofmeasured information of such an area are obtained, it is possible tomake instantaneous and accurate system adjustments using many items ofmeasured information in an area where the need for system adjustments ishigh.

[0068] According to the present embodiment, measured information isacquired only from the mobile radio terminals of users who haveconsented to provide positional information and reception statusinformation. Therefore no information is automatically acquired fromusers who do not want to send positional information and receptionstatus information to the communication service provider. The users arethus free from undue concerns from the standpoint of their privacy andelectric power consumption by their mobile radio terminals.

[0069] Another embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow.

[0070] A radio communication system according to the present embodimentis identical in arrangement to the radio communication system shown inFIG. 2. However, the radio communication system according to the presentembodiment operates differently from the operation sequence shown inFIG. 4 in that a trigger for mobile radio terminals 21, 22 to obtainmeasured information is given from information collecting server 1simultaneously to a plurality of mobile radio terminals.

[0071]FIG. 5 shows in block form a mobile radio terminal according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The mobile radio terminalshown in FIG. 5 differs from the mobile radio terminal shown in FIG. 3in that it has trigger information reception unit 37 instead ofcommunication status acquisition unit 33.

[0072] Trigger information reception unit 37 receives triggerinformation from information collecting server 1, and sends the receivedtrigger information to control unit 35. The trigger information isinformation for triggering the measurement of information. According tothe present embodiment, information collecting server 1 can send triggerinformation simultaneously to a plurality of mobile radio terminals inorder to cause the mobile radio terminals to start measuringinformation.

[0073] Control unit 35 is triggered by the reception of triggerinformation from information collecting server 1 to instruct receptionstatus acquisition unit 32 to measure a reception status, instructpositional information acquisition unit 31 to measure positionalinformation, and instruct time information acquisition unit 34 toacquire a measuring time, etc.

[0074]FIG. 6 shows an operation sequence of the radio communicationsystem and the mobile radio terminal according to the present embodimentfor collecting reception status information. In FIG. 6, operation ofonly mobile radio terminal 21 and information collecting server 1 isillustrated.

[0075] Dedicated software is installed beforehand in the mobile radioterminal of a user who has consented to provide measured informationincluding reception status information and positional information inreturn for the acquisition of a valuable point. The mobile radioterminal with the dedicated software installed is used as mobile radioterminals 21, 22.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, information collecting server 1 sends triggerinformation simultaneously to a plurality of mobile radio terminals(step 201). For example, information collecting server 1 sends triggerinformation in a special time zone where a reception status is to beobserved, such as a time zone in which the system load is statisticallyhigh or a time zone in which the system load is statistically low. Inresponse to the trigger information, mobile radio terminal 21 measures areception status and acquires the measured reception status as receptionstatus information (step 202). At this time, mobile radio terminal 21also acquires time information.

[0077] The subsequent processing in steps 203 through 207 is the same asthe processing in steps 103 through 107 shown in FIG. 4.

[0078] The measured information collected by information collectingserver 1 has been simultaneously acquired by a plurality of mobile radioterminals which have been triggered by the reception of the triggerinformation. Therefore, not only a map representing an associationbetween positions and reception statuses, but also reception statuses invarious positions in coverages at the same time are acquired. Theinformation thus acquired is useful to estimate how changes in thereception statuses in the respective positions are related.

[0079] According to the present embodiment, as described above, mobileradio terminals are triggered by trigger information sent frominformation collecting server 1 simultaneously to a plurality of mobileradio terminals, to acquire reception status information and positionalinformation, and send measured information including the reception stateinformation and the positional information to information collectingserver 1. Therefore, the communication service provider caninstantaneously obtain many items of measured information at respectivespots at the same time by giving inexpensive valuable points to users,and can instantaneously and effectively perform maintenance andadjustments of the radio base stations with reduced man-hours andexpenses.

[0080] Another embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow. A radio communication system according to the present embodimentis identical in arrangement to the radio communication system shown inFIG. 2. However, the radio communication system according to the presentembodiment operates differently from the operation sequence shown inFIG. 4 in that triggers for mobile radio terminals 21, 22 to obtainmeasured information include a trigger given from information collectingserver 1 simultaneously to a plurality of mobile radio terminals, asshown in FIG. 4, and a trigger which is detected by the mobile radioterminals themselves as shown in FIG. 4.

[0081]FIG. 7 shows in block form a mobile radio terminal according tothis embodiment of the present invention. The mobile radio terminalshown in FIG. 7 differs from the mobile radio terminal shown in FIG. 3in that it has both communication status acquisition unit 33 and triggerinformation reception unit 37. Communication status acquisition unit 33shown in FIG. 7 is identical to communication status acquisition unit 33shown in FIG. 3, and trigger information reception unit 37 shown in FIG.7 is identical to trigger information reception unit 37 shown in FIG. 5.

[0082] When communication status information is acquired as a trigger bycommunication status acquisition unit 33 or when trigger information isreceived by trigger information reception unit 37, control unit 35 istriggered to instruct reception status acquisition unit 32,communication status acquisition unit 33, and time informationacquisition unit 34.

[0083]FIG. 8 shows an operation sequence of the radio communicationsystem and the mobile radio terminal according to the present embodimentfor collecting reception status information. In FIG. 8, operation ofonly mobile radio terminal 21 and information collecting server 1 isillustrated.

[0084] Dedicated software is installed beforehand in the mobile radioterminal of a user who has consented to provide measured informationincluding reception status information and positional information inreturn for the acquisition of a valuable point. The mobile radioterminal with the dedicated software installed is used as mobile radioterminals 21, 22.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 8, information collecting server 1 sends triggerinformation simultaneously to a plurality of mobile radio terminals(step 301), or mobile ratio terminal 21 detects as a trigger whencommunication status information has satisfied a predetermined condition(step 302).

[0086] When either trigger is generated, mobile ratio terminal 21measures a reception status and acquires it as reception statusinformation (step 303). At this time, mobile radio terminal 21 alsoacquires time information.

[0087] The subsequent processing in steps 304 through 308 is the same asthe processing in steps 103 through 107 shown in FIG. 4.

[0088] The measured information collected by information collectingserver 1 is related to various operations of the radio communicationsystem or obtained at the same time, depending on trigger conditions.Consequently, not only a map representing an association betweenpositions and reception statuses, but also maps related to variousstatuses or maps representative of reception statuses in variouspositions in coverages at the same time are acquired.

[0089] According to the present embodiment, as described above, mobileradio terminals are triggered by a certain communication status ortrigger information sent from information collecting server 1′simultaneously to a plurality of mobile radio terminals, to acquirereception status information and positional information, and sendmeasured information including the reception state information and thepositional information to information collecting server 1. Therefore,the communication service provider can instantaneously obtain many itemsof measured information related to communication statuses and measuredinformation at respective spots at the same time by giving inexpensivevaluable points to users, and can instantaneously and effectivelyperform maintenance and adjustments of the radio base stations withreduced man-hours and expenses.

[0090] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed using specific terms, such description is for illustrativepurposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of collecting information used foradjustments with an information collecting server in a radiocommunication system connected to at least one mobile radio terminal forperforming user communications, comprising the steps of: in said mobileradio terminal, monitoring a communication status of user communicationand detecting as a trigger when said communication status has satisfieda predetermined condition; acquiring a reception status of a radiosignal when said trigger is detected; acquiring the position of saidmobile radio terminal; and sending measured information including saidreception status and said position to said information collectingserver; and in said information collecting server, recording saidmeasured information received from said mobile radio terminal.
 2. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined conditioncomprises the occurrence of a forced disconnection of the usercommunication.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein saidpredetermined condition comprises the occurrence of a handover failure.4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined conditioncomprises the lowering of a throughput of said user communication belowa predetermined threshold value.
 5. A method according to claim 1,wherein said predetermined condition comprises a call which is made. 6.A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: in saidinformation collecting server, sending value information indicative of avalue to be given for said measured information which is provided, tosaid mobile radio terminal when said measured information is received;and in said mobile radio terminal, displaying the value indicated bysaid value information when said value information is received.
 7. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein said radio communication systemcomprises a CDMA radio communication system.
 8. A method of collectinginformation used for adjustments with an information collecting serverin a radio communication system connected to at least one mobile radioterminal for performing user communication, comprising the steps of: insaid information collecting server, sending trigger information servingas a measuring trigger simultaneously to the at least one mobile radioterminal; in said mobile radio terminal, when said trigger informationis received, acquiring a reception status of a radio signal; acquiringthe position of said mobile radio terminal; and sending measuredinformation including said reception status and said position to saidinformation collecting server; and in said information collectingserver, recording said measured information received from said mobileradio terminal.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein saidinformation collecting server sends said trigger informationsimultaneously to the at least one mobile radio terminal based on a loadstatus on a radio circuit.
 10. A method according to claim 8, furthercomprising the steps of: in said information collecting server, sendingvalue information indicative of a value to be given for said measuredinformation which is provided, to said mobile radio terminal when saidmeasured information is received; and in said mobile radio terminal,displaying the value indicated by said value information when said valueinformation is received.
 11. A method according to claim 8, wherein saidradio communication system comprises a CDMA radio communication system.12. A method of collecting information used for adjustments with aninformation collecting server in a radio communication system connectedto at least one mobile radio terminal for performing usercommunications, comprising the steps of: in said information collectingserver, sending trigger information serving as a measuring triggersimultaneously to the at least one mobile radio terminal; in said mobileradio terminal, monitoring a communication status of user communicationand detecting as a trigger when said communication status has satisfieda predetermined condition; when said trigger information is received orsaid trigger is detected, acquiring a reception status of a radiosignal; acquiring the position of said mobile radio terminal; andsending measured information including said reception status and saidposition to said information collecting server; and in said informationcollecting server, recording said measured information received fromsaid mobile radio terminal.
 13. A method according to claim 12, whereinsaid predetermined condition comprises the occurrence of a forceddisconnection of the user communication.
 14. A method according to claim12, wherein said predetermined condition comprises the occurrence of ahandover failure.
 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein saidpredetermined condition comprises the lowering of a throughput of saiduser communication below a predetermined threshold value.
 16. A methodaccording to claim 12, wherein said predetermined condition comprises acall which is made.
 17. A method according to claim 12, wherein saidinformation collecting server sends said trigger informationsimultaneously to the at least one mobile radio terminal based on a loadstatus on a radio circuit.
 18. A method according to claim 12, furthercomprising the steps of: in said information collecting server, sendingvalue information indicative of a value to be given for said measuredinformation which is provided, to said mobile radio terminal when saidmeasured information is received; and in said mobile radio terminal,displaying the value indicated by said value information when said valueinformation is received.
 19. A method according to claim 12, whereinsaid radio communication system comprises a CDMA radio communicationsystem.
 20. A system for collecting information used for adjustments ina radio communication system for performing user communication,comprising: at least one mobile radio terminal for monitoring acommunication status of user communications, and if a trigger isdetected when said communication status has satisfied a predeterminedcondition, acquiring a reception status of a radio signal and theposition of the mobile radio terminal, and sending measured informationincluding said reception status and said position; and an informationcollecting server for receiving said measured information from saidmobile radio terminal and recording the measured information which hasbeen received.
 21. A system according to claim 20, wherein saidpredetermined condition comprises the occurrence of a forceddisconnection of the user communication.
 22. A system according to claim20, wherein said predetermined condition comprises the occurrence of ahandover failure.
 23. A system according to claim 20, wherein saidpredetermined condition comprises the lowering of a throughput of saiduser communication below a predetermined threshold value.
 24. A systemaccording to claim 20, wherein said predetermined condition comprises acall which is made.
 25. A system according to claim 20, wherein whensaid measured information is received, said information collectingserver sends value information indicative of a value to be given forsaid measured information which is provided, to said mobile radioterminal, and wherein when said value information is received, saidmobile radio terminal displays the value indicated by said valueinformation.
 26. A system according to claim 20, wherein said radiocommunication system comprises a CDMA radio communication system.
 27. Asystem for collecting information used for adjustments in a radiocommunication system for performing user communication, comprising: atleast one mobile radio terminal for, if a trigger information as ameasuring trigger is received, acquiring a reception status of a radiosignal and the position of the mobile radio terminal, and sendingmeasured information including said reception status and said position;and an information collecting server for sending said triggerinformation simultaneously to the at least one mobile radio terminal,and recording the measured information which has been received from saidmobile radio terminal.
 28. A system according to claim 27, wherein saidinformation collecting server sends said trigger informationsimultaneously to the at least one mobile radio terminal based on a loadstatus on a radio circuit.
 29. A system according to claim 27, whereinwhen said measured information is received, said information collectingserver sends value information indicative of a value to be given forsaid measured information which is provided, to said mobile radioterminal and wherein when said value information is received, saidmobile radio terminal displays the value indicated by said valueinformation.
 30. A system according to claim 27, wherein said radiocommunication system comprises a CDMA radio communication system.
 31. Asystem for collecting information used for adjustments in a radiocommunication system for performing user communication, comprising: atleast one mobile radio terminal for monitoring a communication status ofuser communications, and if a trigger is detected when saidcommunication status has satisfied a predetermined condition or triggerinformation as a measuring trigger is received, acquiring a receptionstatus of a radio signal and the position of the mobile radio terminal,and sending measured information including said reception status andsaid position; and an information collecting server for sending saidtrigger information simultaneously to the at least one mobile radioterminal, and recording the measured information which has been receivedfrom said mobile radio terminal.
 32. A system according to claim 31,wherein said predetermined condition comprises the occurrence of aforced disconnection of the user communication.
 33. A system accordingto claim 31, wherein said predetermined condition comprises theoccurrence of a handover failure.
 34. A system according to claim 31,wherein said predetermined condition comprises the lowering of athroughput of said user communication below a predetermined thresholdvalue.
 35. A system according to claim 31, wherein said predeterminedcondition comprises a call which is made.
 36. A system according toclaim 31, wherein said information collecting server sends said triggerinformation simultaneously to the at least one mobile radio terminalbased on a load status on a radio circuit.
 37. A system according toclaim 31, wherein when said measured information is received, saidinformation collecting server sends value information indicative of avalue to be given for said measured information which is provided, tosaid mobile radio terminal, and wherein when said value information isreceived, said mobile radio terminal displays the value formation isreceived, said mobile radio terminal displays the value indicated bysaid value information.
 38. A system according to claim 31, wherein saidradio communication system comprises a CDMA radio communication system.39. A mobile radio terminal for sending information used for adjustmentsin a radio communication system for performing user communications to aninformation collecting server, comprising: a communication statusacquisition unit for acquiring a communication status of usercommunication; a reception status acquisition unit for acquiring areception status of a radio signal; a positional information acquisitionunit for acquiring the position of the mobile radio terminal; and acontrol unit, triggerable when said communication status acquired bysaid communication status acquisition unit has satisfied a predeterminedcondition, for instructing said reception status acquisition unit toacquire said reception status and instructing said positionalinformation acquisition unit to acquire said position, and, when saidreception status and said position are acquired, sending measuredinformation including said reception status and said position to saidinformation collecting server.
 40. A mobile radio terminal according toclaim 39, wherein said predetermined condition comprises the occurrenceof a forced disconnection of the user communication.
 41. A mobile radioterminal according to claim 39, wherein said predetermined conditioncomprises the occurrence of a handover failure.
 42. A mobile radioterminal according to claim 39, wherein said predetermined conditioncomprises the lowering of a throughput of said user communication belowa predetermined threshold value.
 43. A mobile radio terminal accordingto claim 39, wherein said predetermined condition comprises a call whichis made.
 44. A mobile radio terminal according to claim 39, wherein whensaid measured information is received, said information collectingserver sends value information indicative of a value to be given forsaid measured information which is provided, to said mobile radioterminal, and wherein when said value information is received, saidmobile radio terminal displays the value indicated by said valueinformation.
 45. A mobile radio terminal according to claim 39, whereinsaid radio communication system comprises a CDMA radio communicationsystem.
 46. A mobile radio terminal for sending information used foradjustments in a radio communication system for performing usercommunication to an information collecting server, comprising: a triggerinformation reception unit for receiving trigger information as ameasuring trigger from said information collecting server; a receptionstatus acquisition unit for acquiring a reception status of a radiosignal; a positional information acquisition unit for acquiring theposition of the mobile radio terminal; and a control unit, triggerablewhen said trigger information is received by said trigger informationreception unit, for instructing said reception status acquisition unitto acquire said reception status and instructing said positionalinformation acquisition unit to acquire said position, and, when saidreception status and said position are acquired, sending measuredinformation including said reception status and said position to saidinformation collecting server.
 47. A mobile radio terminal according toclaim 46, wherein when said measured information is received, saidinformation collecting server sends value information indicative of avalue to be given for said measured information which is provided, tosaid mobile radio terminal, and wherein when said value information isreceived, said mobile radio terminal displays the value indicated bysaid value information.
 48. A mobile radio terminal according to claim46, wherein said radio communication system comprises a CDMA radiocommunication system.
 49. A mobile radio terminal for sendinginformation used for adjustments in a radio communication system forperforming user communications to an information collecting server,comprising: a communication status acquisition unit for acquiring acommunication status of user communication; a trigger informationreception unit for receiving trigger information as a measuring triggerfrom said information collecting server; a reception status acquisitionunit for acquiring a reception status of a radio signal; a positionalinformation acquisition unit for acquiring the position of the mobileradio terminal; and a control unit, triggerable when said communicationstatus acquired by said communication status acquisition unit hassatisfied a predetermined condition or said trigger information isreceived by said trigger information reception unit, for instructingsaid reception status acquisition unit to acquire said reception statusand instructing said positional information acquisition unit to acquiresaid position, and, when said reception status and said position areacquired, sending measured information including said reception statusand said position to said information collecting server.
 50. A mobileradio terminal according to claim 49, wherein said predeterminedcondition comprises the occurrence of a forced disconnection of the usercommunication.
 51. A mobile radio terminal according to claim 49,wherein said predetermined condition comprises the occurrence of ahandover failure.
 52. A mobile radio terminal according to claim 49,wherein said predetermined condition comprises the lowering of athroughput of said user communication below a predetermined thresholdvalue.
 53. A mobile radio terminal according to claim 49, wherein saidpredetermined condition comprises a call which is made.
 54. A mobileradio terminal according to claim 49, wherein when said measuredinformation is received, said information collecting server sends valueinformation indicative of a value to be given for said measuredinformation which is provided, to said mobile radio terminal, andwherein when said value information is received, said mobile radioterminal displays the value indicated by said value information.
 55. Amobile radio terminal according to claim 49, wherein said radiocommunication system comprises a CDMA radio communication system.